The Past Few Days - The Beginning

Ok so the last few days have been hectic busy but so much fun! But due to technical circumstances (the blog won't upload if it's too big) I'm going to have to do this update in instalments.

The subway is getting easier to negotiate as we spend more time on it. We've discovered the express trains!! Very cool except that it's easy to feel like a sardine...everyone gets off the normal train, walks across the platform and gets on the express. For the first time today I had peak hour 'traffic' experience on the subway. One train route had a fire which meant the train couldn't run. So the other lines were jam packed! Most people were pretty cool about it.

Wednesday it started getting cold even though the sun came out. We decided to make full use of the sunny weather and headed up Empire State. It was a long wait! Eventually we got to the top after security (everything in America involves you going through some sort of security check...belts, shoes, camera, phone, wallet all checked and you're scanned). It was something to be 86 floors above ground. But it was difficult to make the most of the views in all the different directions because the minute we left the sunny side of the building we faced one seriously cold wind that was pumping! Nothing can explain how cold it was. Needless to say hoods, scarves, gloves and anything else that would insulate was immediately put on.

 

The 'spiky' building is the Chrysler building. There was a big competition between the two buildings to be the tallest in the world. The Chrysler building held the record until the Empire State was completed with a surprise mast erected at the last minute making it the tallest.

 

 

 

After Empire State we headed to 'Ground Zero'. We found one policeman today who we got talking to and he didn't seem to like the term. He felt it's merely a construction site now and people should move on. He didn't seem to think people should see it as a tourist attraction. It seems many people have different takes on it though. When we got there it was eerie. New York is so noisy and busy and then suddenly it's quiet and solemn even though there is construction going on where the towers used to be. It's hard to see anything because the whole site is surrounded by shade cloth. People aren't even allowed to take photo's of the construction, only of the temporary memorial. It's difficult to comprehend what so many have been through. The policeman I mentioned earlier told us he was there for two months after 9/11. They worked round the clock with three hours off to clean up and come back. Hectic!! I wonder what that has done to the minds and souls of those who worked there.

We wondered around and ended up in Wall Street. We found yet another 'old' church, but this one was odd because it was tucked away between all the financial 'giants'. There was a beautiful Steinway piano inside and the most exquisite stained glass behind the altar. I can't help but wonder how much real faith in Christ is left in this city though. Unlike England, entrance into all the churches here has been free so far.

This little girl was pointing out everything on the pictures at 'Ground Zero'. Poignant for me.	The piano is tucked away behind the altar.
The biggest flag of all US flags I've seen on wall street.	This one was at the 'Ground Zero' memorial.

 

Thursday we headed out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Surprisingly it wasn't the most enjoyable of events. My thermostat couldn't even register how cold it was. There was simply numb, number, and then freezing! It was no joke waiting in line for the ferry. On the way to the ferry we were waylaid by a very interesting character, who neglected to tell me that if I wanted to take photo's I'd have to pay $5!!! I was livid.

 

Once on Liberty Island we simply walked round the statue, took one or two pics of the city skyline behind us and basically made our way back to the ferry. We asked if we could go inside the museum because some tickets were still being handed out and a very rude New York lady basically pointed to the sign and wouldn't give us the time of day. I was appalled at her manner. It didn't speak well for America.

 

 

Clearly we are in a superb hostel, because after a trying and very cold day, we came 'home' to a full on theatre experience of 'I Am Legend'. A data projector is set up with some fairly decent speakers in the basement area (next to the kitchens).

The theatre with wireless internet connection.	Kitchen
Breakfast/dining area next to the kitchens.	Chill area on the lobby level. (There is also a pool/live entertainment room and locker/storage area)